Thursday, August 28, 2008

HOW TO LIVE ON GOD’S VERY BEST (Part 4)

Keep Clean With SOAP

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;

The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
Psalm 19:9 (NASB)

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

John 15:3 (NIV)

1. TO KEEP CLEAN AND BE HEALTHY USE SOAP –

(method of daily devotional journaling)

We sometimes tend to think we know all we need to know to answer these kinds of questions—but sometimes our humble hearts can help us more than our proud minds. We never really know enough until we recognize that God alone knows it all.

1 Corinthians 8:1-2 (TM)

S = SCRIPTURE
O = OBSERVATION
A = APPLICATION
P = PERSONAL PRAYER

S = SCRIPTURE
Ask the Lord to bring home to your heart one particular scriptural text. Write it down in your journal.

O = OBSERVATION
Ponder what God highlighted for you and write out in manuscript form what you observe.

A = APPLICATION
Write out how you plan to put into practice the lesson the Lord Jesus has brought to your attention. How will I be different today as a result of what I’ve just read.

P = PERSONAL PRAYER
Write out your prayer. It could be to thank Him for giving you the power to apply what you’ve just learned.

For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

James 1:23-25 (NLT)

If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
John 13:17 (NASB)

Go the extra mile and take 30 seconds to write the Table of Contents entry on the first page of your journal. Include the title of your entry, Scripture reference, the date and the page of your journal entry.

2. THE BEST TIME FOR DEVOTIONS IS WHEN YOU’RE AT YOUR BEST

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. 6For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 1:1-3, 6 (NIV)

Will you give God your very best?

Friday, August 22, 2008

HOW TO LIVE ON GOD’S VERY BEST (Part 3)

Spend Time With Jesus

Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)

The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

John 6:63 (NIV)

I focus on this one thing: 14I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT)

1. DAILY DEVOTIONS CORRECT YOU TO WHAT’S RIGHT

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.
Psalm 119:37, 67 (NIV)

And He (Jesus) came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives.

Luke 22:39 (NIV)

But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.
Luke 5:16 (NASB)

2. WE NEED THE WORD OF GOD; A HOLY WEAPON TO WIN

And take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:17 (NASB)

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

John 14:26 (NIV)

"It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"
Matthew 4:4 (NASB)


3. THE FIVE THINGS YOU NEED FOR YOUR DEVOTIONAL LIFE

1. Bible
2. Pen
3. Journal
4. Bible Reading Plan
5. Daily Planner

Bring Your Bible
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

Bring A Pen And Bring A Journal
"This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.

Jeremiah 30:2 (NIV)

“When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction in the presence of the Levitical priests. 19He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. 20This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 (NLT)

Bring A Bible Reading Plan
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
Isaiah 30:20 (NIV)

Bring A Daily Planner

"My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, And my yield better than choicest silver.
Proverbs 8:19 (NASB)

Monday, August 18, 2008

HOW TO LIVE ON GOD’S VERY BEST (Part 2)

You Are What You Eat

Your words were found, and I ate them; and Your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.
Jeremiah 15:16 (AB)
The Lord answered, "Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, 42but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42 (NLT)


1. GOD WANTS TO GUIDE US THROUGH LIFE

You said to me, "I will point out the road that you should follow. I will be your teacher and watch over you. 9Don't be stupid like horses and mules that must be led with ropes
to make them obey."

Psalm 32:8-9 (CEV)
"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.

John 14:16-17 (NASB)

2. GOD GIVES US HIS VERY BEST

Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
Proverbs 13:20 (NLT)
It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.

Hebrews 11:4 (NLT)

3. GOD GIVES WISDOM TO DEAL WITH TOMORROW’S CHALLENGES

"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
John 16:13 (NASB)

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
Joshua 1.8 (NLT)


Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:1-5 (NLT)

When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."

John 10:4-5 (NLT)

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

James 1:5-7 (NLT)

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.

Psalm 32:8 (NLT)

Thursday, August 7, 2008

HOW TO LIVE ON GOD’S VERY BEST

Wisdom beyond life’s lessons

Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine. 99Thinking about your teachings gives me better understanding than my teachers.
Psalm 119:98-99 (NASB, CEV)

1. SEEK GOD’S VERY BEST WISDOM

That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." 8Solomon answered God, 10Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
11God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have."
2 Chronicles 1:7-8, 10-12 NIV)
Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." 41But the Lord answered and said to her, " Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:40-42 (NASB)

2. WE HAVE TWO TEACHERS: WISDOM AND CONSEQUENCES

67I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word. 71My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.
Psalm 119:67, 71 (NLT)

The Law of the LORD is perfect; it gives us new life. His teachings last forever, and they give wisdom to ordinary people.
Psalm 19:7 (CEV)

3. WE HAVE TWO PAINS: DISCIPLINE AND REGRET

God used your hurt feelings to make you turn back to him, and none of you were harmed. 10When God makes you feel sorry enough to turn to him and be saved, you don't have anything to feel bad about. But when this world makes you feel sorry, it can cause your death.
2 Corinthians 7:9-10 (CEV)

Don't even grumble, as some of them did and were killed by the destroying angel. 11These things happened to them as a warning to us. All this was written in the Scriptures to teach us who live in these last days.
1 Corinthians 10:10-11 (CEV)

For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.
17But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
James 3:15-17 (NLT)

If you are willing, the Bible will give you wisdom beyond your years. It will save you from heartache beyond your imagination.